"We are pleased with the verdict", say the three human rights defenders, "but we believe that only a constructive dialogue between activists, doctors, social workers and the authorities can help society make civil progress. Arguments, a lack of communication, and court cases only endanger the lives of the most vulnerable and help to spread racist sentiments and intolerance.

Milan, April 17, 2014. Yesterday at the Criminal Court of Milan, the trial was held against the human rights defenders Roberto Malini, Matteo Pegoraro and Dario Picciau, founders of EveryOne Group, an international organization for human rights. The activists were accused of aggravated defamation following their public complaint against a hospital that had refused to provide health care for a seriously ill patient from the Roma community.

This new court case against them was a cause of great concern to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the major organizations that protect the activities of humanitarian workers throughout the world. For the third time, in fact, Malini, Pegoraro and Picciau have been mentioned as "victims of judicial harassment" in the annual UN Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders.

At the hearing yesterday, the three defendants chose to answer the questions of the Public Prosecutor and defence lawyer by describing with pride - and leaving no room for ambiguity - the nature of their civil and humanitarian action in defence of the right to medical treatment that occurred in July 2008.

They explained how the work of EveryOne Group is inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights. They spoke of the discrimination and exclusion that affects Roma families, all too often deprived of their basic rights by the institutions.

Paola Pasquinuzzi, their lawyer, from the Florence courts, defended the activists to great effect, and supported their courageous decision to transform the hearing of a criminal trial into a civil debate during which they touched on the most important issues related to the defence of human rights and the unequal treatment that some minorities are subjected to by the authorities.

The witnesses, including a young Roma man, were essential for the reconstruction of the episode in question. After nearly six years of investigation, hearings and postponements, the activists were finally acquitted on every count, and charges were dismissed. At the end of the trial Roberto Malini, Matteo Pegoraro and Dario Picciau were visibly satisfied.

"We welcome a ruling that acknowledges the value of our humanitarian work and at the same time the severe discrimination the Roma people are subjected to," they commented, "but we believe that only a constructive dialogue between activists, doctors, social workers and the authorities can help society make civil progress.

Arguments, a lack of communication, and court cases only endanger the lives of the most vulnerable and help to spread racist sentiments and intolerance. We must benefit from this episode and finally turn a new page. Doctors and nurses need to remember the profounder meaning of their mission, which is summed up admirably in the Hippocratic Oath, and to regard as an enriching experience that which the humanitarian activists, who are always in contact with marginalized minorities, are able to offer them.”

In the photo, from left to right: Dario Picciau, the lawyer Paola Pasquinuzzi, Roberto Malini, Matteo Pegoraro and other activists from the Group (Fabio Patronelli, IPAT Ciuraru and Steed Gamero)

Sunday, April 20, 2014, by EveryOne Group

Court case against the activists of EveryOne Group: acquitted on every count